Govt’s Determination Pushed Make in India in Defence: DRDO Chief Kamat

Defense News ,India :- In a significant development, DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat highlighted the remarkable leap in India's defence sector, crediting the government's strong commitment to achieving self-reliance. Speaking at the Firstpost Defence Summit 2024, Kamat pointed out key factors that have transformed 'Make in India' into a success story.

The foremost factor, according to Kamat, is the government's unwavering determination to make Aatmnirbharta (self-reliance) a reality. He emphasized that while the idea of self-reliance had been discussed for a long time, it lacked the necessary commitment from the government. However, the present government has actively pushed for Aatmnirbharta, bringing about a significant change in the narrative.

One crucial step taken by the government is the publication of a list specifying the services that must be procured from Indian companies. This move has incentivized Indian companies to invest and manufacture systems within the country. Additionally, the acceleration of the acquisition process with the implementation of DAP 2020 has further propelled the self-reliance initiative. Kamat asserted that the government's resolute policies are a key factor contributing to the current optimism in the defence sector.

Kamat stressed the importance of building a robust research and development (R&D) ecosystem in the country. He noted that historically, R&D was primarily the focus of DRDO, but recent efforts aim to involve start-ups, MSMEs, and academia in the R&D system. This inclusive approach is expected to expedite innovation and bring new technologies to the market more efficiently. Furthermore, the participation of the private sector in defence manufacturing is seen as a dynamic addition, likely to enhance the speed, cost-effectiveness, and quality of production.

Anticipating a surge in India's defence exports, Kamat expressed optimism based on the growing interest in Indian defence systems. He highlighted the untapped potential for exports, suggesting that the current level of interest indicates a significant opportunity for expansion.

Government data reveals a historic milestone in the value of defence production for the financial year 2022-23, exceeding ₹1 lakh Crore for the first time. The value stood at ₹1,06,800 crore, marking a notable increase of over 12% compared to the previous fiscal year (2021-22) when it was ₹95,000 crore.